Don Bosco

John was born in 1815 in Recchi, Italy. When John was two, his father died

prematurely. As a boy, John lived on a farm with his family doing the only thing

they knew how, farming. Poverty and a lack of formal education in the home did

not stop the growth of John Bosco as a person. His mother was for real, realizing

the importance of God in life (http://www.sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca/rel/cath-

boscocamp/about.html).

Getting a formal education was a constant struggle for John. The family

finances being what they were, his brothers felt that he was wasting time, energy,

and money and that it would be better for all if he stopped going to school and

worked on the farm, earning money (http://www.sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca/rel/cath-

boscocamp/about.html).

At age nine John had a dream in which he saw himself changing children from beasts into lambs. He decided immediately to become a priest and devote his life to children, and began at once. He haunted every circus and fair; learned to walk tight-ropes, do acrobatics, and become a conjurer at the cost of an often broken nose (http://users.erols.com/saintpat/ss/0131.htm#john). He must have understood physical fitness for as a youngster he was known and respected as the town's acrobat and juggler. Many would assemble to witness his tricks. He was then able to provide fascinating entertainment that would end with the rosary and a verbatim repetition of the previous Sunday's sermon. What was amazing is the fact that before any performance he would ask his audience to join him in prayer. God was his friend This friendship with God became powerful and slowly John prepared for the priesthood (http://www.sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca/rel/cath- boscocamp/about.html).

In 1841 at the age of 26, John was ordained priest. He was now ready to